Sunday, June 25, 2006.

I cannot believe I let so much time pass. I let life get away from me and I forgot to keep doing the things that I love. After a lot of work and sacrifice, it is time for me to get back to what I love to do…write.

I am posting thisto let you know that I am BACK!

I am definitely rusty so I would appreciate some constructive criticism.

I will post the next chapter or so tomorrow.

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Wedding Day cont…

Olympus had never heard anything like it. The roar of anger and anguish echoed through the area and caused the humans on earth to quake with fear.

"He's in Tartarus because of you!"

Gabrielle stepped back as her future father-in-law snarled at her. He was impressive in his anger.

"Who's in Tartarus?" a confused Gabrielle asked. She was starting to get worried. First Ares was running late and the next thing she knew the wedding was off. "Who's in Tartarus? And where's Ares?"

"Ares is in Tartarus, Gabby," Hercules informed her.

"Is he there on a business meeting? On our wedding day?" She'd kill him!

"No. He's a resident,"

"Gods can't be resident there," she said with conviction. The worried feeling was getting worse, "he probably just went to visit his uncle and aunt."

"No he didn't. Look!" The worried and enraged father snapped and waved his hand over Ares' pool.

She gasped in shock. This had to be a joke. Her wide eyes took in the vision of the man she loved strapped to a stone slab as a shadowy figure with red hair slashed a whip over his torso.

"What happened? Why is he like this?"

"You should know since this is your doing!"

"W…what do you mean?"

She flinched as he flung something at her. It was a crumpled up piece of parchment. Her hands trembled as she slowly straightened it out. Flowing writing filled the page.

"Dear Gabrielle," she read aloud for the benefit of Hera and Aphrodite, "I'm writing to say that the strain of faking our dislike is getting too much for me and Xena. You were right that getting engaged to him would move our plan for revenge along quickly. Enclosed is the satchel of powder we discussed. When you're ready, this will strip him of his powers and prevent him from getting them back. If you can do it while he's fighting, even better, but wait until you've had his "heir". I can't wait to have you in my bed again so we can pull off this phase of the plan. Hold in there and keep faking that you like him touching you,"

"I don't believe it." Aphrodite said staunchly, "Gabby would never do such a thing."

"Thank you Dite," Gabrielle choked. She turned to Ares' parents, "I swear I didn't do this."

"Why should we believe you?" Zeus snarled, "Hercules told me that you basically forced my son into marriage."

Wide green eyes turned to the demi-god in question who shrugged apologetically. That moment would always return to bite her in the butt. She wanted to defend herself, but she knew it would be folly to point out that they were the ones forcing him into marriage.

"Answer me!" Zeus roared, "Why should we believe you?"

"I…" she had no defense.

"Because she's in love with him," Hera said quietly.

Gabrielle spun on the Goddess of Love, "You told her? I didn't even tell you!"

Aphrodite put her hands up to ward off any attack.

"She didn't tell me," Hera interrupted.

"Then how did you know?"

"I'm a woman," she smiled.

Hercules and Zeus looked like Thor had struck them with his hammer.

"You love him?" Hercules looked like Medusa had tried to kiss him.

"He's arrogant, thinks he knows everything, and refuses to ask for help, or admit he's wrong. How can you love him?" Zeus demanded.

"Sounds like someone I know," Hera muttered with a chuckle.

"I am not like that!" Both men declared at the same time.

The Queen of the Gods chuckled again and turned to Gabrielle. She raised her chin and forced her to look into her eyes.

"Thank you,"

"For what?" she whispered.

"For loving my son,"

"I never said…"

Hera placed a silencing finger on her lips.

"Don't taint its purity by denying it," she drew her into a hug, "tell him how you feel before it's too late."

"It's already too late. He's in Tartarus,"

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